Timing is everything – that’s a familiar quip we’ve all heard. And with colon cancer screening, timing is vital. While colorectal cancer leads to 52,000 deaths each year, it’s among the most treatable cancers when caught early.

Colorectal cancer is common with more than 150,000 new cases found each year, and it’s the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women combined. Doctors recommend people get screened for it starting at age 45, yet people with a family history are encouraged to start earlier.

Our physicians recommend colonoscopy, first and foremost, starting at age 45, as the preferred choice in colon screening.

Colonoscopy is the most sensitive and specific of all screening options. And, unlike other options, it allows a specialist physician to remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. If cancer is present, it’s the least likely screening method to miss a cancer.

For those dreading the exam and the prep, it’s important to remember that preventing colon cancer can save you from cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Yet everyone has seen the ads featuring middle-aged adults who choose an at-home option for colon cancer screening. While colonoscopy is considered the gold standard, at-home tests are an option. An at-home screening is better than no screening at all.

They include:

• Multi-target stool DNA or FIT-DNA (known as Cologuard®). It’s shown to be 92% effective at finding colon cancer, which is close but not quite as effective as colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is also better at detecting precancerous polyps.

• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT). It’s 80% effective at finding a cancer, yet when compared to FIT-DNA tests the FIT produces fewer false positive results.

A positive result on either one of these tests would require further testing of a colonoscopy to see if it’s a false positive or if there is a cancerous growth or pre-cancerous polyp that’s causing the positive result.

A conversation with your provider is the best way to get the facts. You can then tailor your own decision, based on your health and your history.

Over the past 10 years, colon cancer screening rates have improved, yet around 30% of people of screening age are not up to date on their screening.

Whatever your age, whenever you experience possible signs of colorectal cancer, it’s important to see your provider. Symptoms include:

• Bowel habit changes like diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that continues for days

• Bloating or a feeling like you need a bowel movement that isn’t relieved by going to the bathroom

• Pain, tenderness or cramping in the lower abdomen

• Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool or dark stools

• Unintended weight loss and fatigue

You can help reduce your cancer risk by getting more exercise and eating a better diet, including less red meat, more whole grains and more fruits and vegetables. Moderate your alcohol use, and leave processed products on the shelf.

Every small step adds up to reduced risk. Yet colon cancer screening is a big step in cancer prevention that you don’t want to skip.

— Debbie Streier, Regional President/CEO, Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center